030921 A firsthand account of how I kicked opioids after suffering a traumatic lower back injury in the line of duty. By Russ Cox, Retired SPD Sgt[1].

This is my story of how I kicked opioids. While at work during the winter of 2008 I fell and crushed the vertebrae in my lower back. The pain was incredible. It felt like the air went out of my upper body. That was in December. Since L& I was involved all the I’s had to be dotted and the T’s crossed so due to the waiting time for the claim to be processed. I was not operated on until April 15th.

220821 A short plug for my favorite girl-our daughter Arica

This type of hair styling takes a lot of practice to be this professional coloring your hair.

210521 Are you at high risk? Smoking harms your smile.

It’s been proven that smoking weakens your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to ward off illness, including gum disease. And once you have gum disease, smoking makes it more difficult for your gums to heal.

050421 Cycling Improves Parkinson’s

050421 Cycling Improves Parkinson's by Rickey Dale Crain Thanks to Rickey for letting me use this article. What do actor Michael J. Fox, evangelist Billy Graham, former US Attorney General Janet Reno and boxer Muhammad Ali have in common? Answer: Parkinson's disease, a chronic degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that kills off or … Continue reading 050421 Cycling Improves Parkinson’s →

250321 Seasonal Affective Disorder and Your Mental Health

Seasonal Affective Disorder Clearly, SAD is a serious problem and the symptoms can really negatively impact your life. People who struggle with SAD also find it to be a recurring problem, meaning it keeps coming back over and over for years. If you already have depression or anxiety, it can really pile up and make for a nasty combo.

220221 Right sounds during surgery can ease post-operative pain

So how to cut down on post-surgery opioids? Researchers publishing in the British Medical Journal showed the way. Surprisingly, it is the words and music you hear when you’re put out during anesthesia that just might help. Listening to soothing words and music during surgery appears to reduce post-operative pain levels.

150221 Heart Health and Aging

People age 65 and older are much more likely than younger people to suffer a heart attack, to have a stroke, or to develop coronary heart disease (commonly called heart disease) and heart failure. Heart disease is also a major cause of disability, limiting the activity and eroding the quality of life of millions of older people.

010221 13 Tips to Keep Your Bladder Healthy

People rarely talk about bladder health, but everyone is affected by it. Each day, adults pass about a quart and a half of urine through the bladder and out of the body.

180121 Prostate Problems 3/3

PSA Testing Until recently, many doctors encouraged yearly PSA testing for all men beginning at age 50, or even earlier for men at high risk of prostate cancer. As doctors have learned more about the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening, they have begun to caution against annual PSA testing. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you.

110121 Prostate Problems 2/3

See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms: Frequent urge to urinate Need to get up many times during the night to urinate Blood in urine or semen Pain or burning urination Painful ejaculation Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area, or upper thighs Dribbling of urine